Dick Fowler was a lanky, golden-armed 18-year-old when he dazzled the Toronto Maple Leafs brass at training camp in 1939. The local sensation would debut for his hometown squad in 1940, and Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics would purchase his contract later that same year.

The 6-foot-5 hurler made his big league debut on September 13, 1941 and followed that up by pitching in 31 games for the Athletics the following year, including one stint where he tossed 16 innings in a 1-0 loss. After his first full season in the majors, he was called for military duty and served in the Canadian army for three years. In his first start upon his return, the powerful right-hander would no-hit the St. Louis Browns on September 9, 1945. Fowler remains the only Canadian to throw a no-hitter in the big leagues.